U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Leon Panetta as the new defense secretary, succeeding Robert Gates, who is set to retire by the end of this month.
The Senate voted unanimously to confirm President Barack Obama's pick to head the Pentagon. Panetta, a budget and management expert, who held a series of government posts before coming to the CIA, is expected to take over the Defense Department on July 1.
During the Senate confirmation hearing, Panetta said he would continue the reforms initiated by Gates after the confirmation.